Sensor network for breast pumping mothers

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a breast pump sensor network. The breast pump sensor network includes an emitter disposed within a bodily fluid capture system and a detector disposed within the bodily fluid capture system. Further disclosed is a method for controlling the breast pump sensor network which includes emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation within a bodily fluid capture system, detecting one or more drops of body fluid within the bodily fluid capture system, determining a bodily fluid flow rate based at least on the detected one or more drops of bodily fluid, and providing the determined bodily fluid flow rate to at least one user.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/109,779, filed on Jan. 30, 2015, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

This invention was made without Government support. The Government hasno rights in this invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a sensor network for breast pumps for nursingmothers.

Overview

Breastfeeding women rely on a breast pump to express milk while awayfrom their babies, yet current breast pumps are not well suited totoday's user. Designed decades ago, conventional breast pumps featureobtrusive parts that require access to a private space to undress;considerable time and effort to assemble and clean many parts; and adisjointed storage system that often results in milk spills. We havedeveloped a smart breast pump system to allow women to pump anywhere andget real-time information about their milk supply. This disclosureteaches certain improvements that unlike existing flanges and bottlesfor pumping, is discrete and may be worn completely under regularclothing, without the need to disrobe or cover up with a blanket. Theparts are simple to assemble and easy to wear. We augment the breastpump accessory parts (including flanges, bottles and tubing) withsensors and an accompanying software application that runs on the user'ssmartphone or mobile device. The sensors relay data such as volumepumped, flow rate and temperature data in real-time. The applicationalso provides a network for mothers to communicate with each other andwith experts in the lactation, prenatal, pediatric and post-partum carefields. The application connects with third party applications forextended tasks including to set reminders, see content and ordersupplies.

SUMMARY

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward sensorsthat provide health information to a user. The system includes sensorsthat come in contact with human skin and/or bodily fluids, or areseparated from skin and fluid by an apparatus. The apparatus provides acommunication pathway that conveys information, from the object beingsensed to the sensor. The pathway may be heat and light permeable.Sensor data is sent wirelessly to a smartphone application (app).

More specific aspects of the present disclosure are directed to thecontext of medical applications that record and monitor healthinformation to alert users of health conditions and provide access tomedical advice.

The application and sensors establish a smart, dynamic connectionbetween the pump collection system and the user's ability to understand,by visualization and tracking the data collected during pumping sessionsthrough a smartphone interface. The software content includes pushnotifications, APIs for interfacing to other baby apps and healthtracking apps, and/or connections with other native apps (e.g.Photostream, Calendar, Music). The app is designed to answer users'questions regarding their milk supply, and track trends in terms ofvolume, optimal pumping times and inventory. Sensor data may also beused to monitor the general state of the user's health and alert them ofpotential complications, such as mastitis, when a fever or rise in bodytemperature is detected.

Accessories currently in the market do not sync with smartphone apps norinclude sensors for milk supply monitoring and tracking. Herein, wedisclose smart features including sensors that may alert a user of thereal-time flow rate of milk expression, and may control a pumpautonomously to regulate milk expression. The capture (flange) andcollection (bottle) system fits under the user's clothes and is put onthrough the neck hole or from the bottom of the user's shirt, and isheld to the body by any standard bra. The sensors between the captureand collection system measure flow rate and track aggregate volumepumped. Sensors within the capture system measure body temperature, andsensors within the connection and/or collection system measure milktemperature.

The breast pump sensor network includes an emitter disposed within abodily fluid capture system and a detector disposed within the bodilyfluid capture system. Further disclosed is a method for controlling thebreast pump sensor network which includes emitting a beam ofelectromagnetic radiation within a bodily fluid capture system,detecting one or more drops of body fluid within the bodily fluidcapture system, determining a bodily fluid flow rate based at least onthe detected one or more drops of bodily fluid, and providing thedetermined bodily fluid flow rate to at least one user.

The above discussion/summary is not intended to describe each embodimentor every implementation of the present disclosure. The figures anddetailed description that follow also exemplify various embodiments.

FIGURES

Various example embodiments may be more completely understood inconsideration of the following detailed description in connection withthe accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A shows an example graphical user interface display including apersonalized greeting and access to a home menu to select how a user maystart her pumping session;

FIG. 1B shows an example graphical user interface display including ahome menu to select how a user may start her pumping session;

FIG. 1C shows an example push notification from the app, as viewed whenthe user is in another app;

FIG. 2A shows an example graphical user interface display including ahome menu to select what type of data the user would like to review;

FIG. 2B shows an example graphical user interface display displayingtrends in daily volume pumped;

FIG. 2C shows an example graphical user interface display displayingtrends in weekly volume pumped;

FIG. 3A shows an example graphical user interface display displayingvolume pumped in real-time and categorize the milk for inventory;

FIG. 3B shows an example graphical user interface display displayingtrends in in-session flow rate;

FIG. 3C shows an example graphical user interface display displayingvolume pumped daily;

FIG. 4A shows an example graphical user interface display displaying aninterface which allows a user to set a time and volume notification atthe start of a pump session;

FIG. 4B shows an example graphical user interface display visualizingtrends in volume pumped over multiple pump sessions;

FIG. 4C shows an example graphical user interface display to visualizetrends in milk flow rate and volume pumped by the right and leftbreasts;

FIG. 5 shows an example location for one or more sensors on thecollection system;

FIG. 6A shows an example configuration for the sensing elements;

FIG. 6B shows an example configuration for the sensing elements;

FIG. 7A shows an example lens configuration for the sensing elements;

FIG. 7B shows an alternate example lens configuration for the sensingelements;

FIG. 7C shows an alternate example lens configuration for the sensingelements;

FIG. 8 shows an example location for one or more sensors between thecapture and collection system;

FIG. 9A shows an example location for one or more sensors on the capturesystem in a front cross-section view;

FIG. 9B shows an example location for one or more sensors on the capturesystem in a side cross-section view;

FIG. 10 demonstrates an example method of information flow for thesensor system;

FIG. 11 demonstrates an example method of data processing after the flowrate sensors are read;

FIG. 12A shows an example data set of sensor readings for when milk isdropping past the sensors; and

FIG. 12B shows an example data set of sensor readings for when milk isstreaming past the sensors.

While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications andalternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of examplein the drawings and will be described in detail. It should beunderstood, however, that the intention is not to limit the disclosureto the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intentionis to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives fallingwithin the scope of the disclosure including aspects defined in theclaims.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards sensorsand software to benefit breastfeeding and breast pumping users. Usersinclude mothers and other caretakers including fathers, nannies, otherfamily members, friends and medical personnel. Wearable sensors maymeasure data such as flow rate, volume, and temperature of milkexpressed by means of a breast pump. While not necessarily so limited,aspects of the present disclosure are discussed in the example contextof apparatus (e.g., devices, tools and systems) and methods involving aset of sensors to monitor the collection of bodily fluids.

Various aspects of the present disclosure are also directed towardmethods that include a sensor network apparatus (e.g., devices, toolsand systems) and methods involving a set of sensors to monitor theuser's state of health. Skin temperature sensing to infer the user'sbody temperature may be employed by a thermal sensor either throughdirect or indirect contact with the body surface or with the breastmilk.

Sensor data may be viewed by means of a software application that isexecuted on and accessed through one or more processors associated withany smartphone or mobile device application or through a web browser ona personal computer. Exemplary mobile devices that may execute orprovide access to the software application include a smart phone, atablet, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a music storage andplayback device, a personal digital assistant, or any other devicecapable of implementing a software application. These exemplary devicesmay include a combination of one or more application programs and one ormore hardware components. For example, application programs may includesoftware modules, sequences of instructions, routines, data structures,display interfaces, and other types of structures that executeoperation. Further, hardware components implementing modules and othermeans disclosed herein may include a combination of processors,microcontrollers, busses, volatile and non-volatile memory devices, oneor more non-transitory computer readable memory and/or storage devicesand media, data processors, control devices, transmitters, receivers,antennas, transceivers, input devices, output devices, network interfacedevices, and other types of components that are apparent to thoseskilled in the art. While examples herein use a smart phone as anexemplary mobile device for controlling, interacting with, and receivinginformation from sensors, which will be discussed below, any devicecapable of executing an application program may be similarly used inplace of a smart phone. Personal data may be encrypted and onlyavailable to a user by a password-protected interface. Users may accesstheir data from on multiple devices; and multiple users may view asingle user's data.

Temperature monitoring of the user's body temperature may take placeeach time she uses the breast pump accessory system. Two consecutivehigh temperature measurements will alert the user of an onset of fever.Such detection may help in the prevention of advanced stages ofinfection including mastitis or other complications with the mammaryducts.

Temperature monitoring of milk, whether breast milk, formula or othermilk stored in the collection system may be conveyed by a processor tothe inventory management system. The user may be alerted if the milkcontained in a milk storage system is approaching a temperature rangefor an extended period of time that is not recommended for safeconsumption. The alert may tell the user to refrigerate the milk or thestorage system may automatically refrigerate the milk to keep the milkin a safe temperature range for storage before consumption.

The sensor triggers the processor to alert the user that the sensors arepowered up and actively taking measurements. The sensor and processormay also indicate to the user if the sensor is OFF or not takingmeasurements by way of a user interface associated with the user'smobile device. Alternatively, the sensor may include an indicationdisplay such as an LED to alert the user of its status. The processormay convey the sensor status by means of text or a visual representationnot limited to a glowing object. The glowing object may be representedas a light, a bottle or a bottle cover.

Information stored within one or more memory devices may be provided toa user to use in concert with lactation consultants, for example,through a referral service, through a method to call an expert directlyfrom the user's phone, initiated from the mobile device, through postingto a forum answered by experts, or through text messaging. The user maypay additional fees for one on one consultations, and may get servicesfor certain sessions for free or at a discount as a result of productpromotions.

The mobile device may allow for the ordering of supplies, such asvitamins and supplements based on milk production trends or personaladvice from medical experts via interaction with the user interfacedisplayed on the mobile device. Other exemplary supplies includereplacement parts for breast pumping systems, diapers and other foodsources.

The mobile device may help the user control her milk supply inventory.For example, the processor may provide personalized notifications and/ormessages, based on received sensor data, to the user of the time of day,week, etc. and suggested volume she should pump for specific regimes. Anexample regime may be to prepare for travel while away from the baby. Inthis example, the mobile device may provide advice to help the userincrease milk inventory. Another example regime may include advice forweaning a baby off breastfeeding, and to lower milk production within acertain period of time.

The mobile device may give advice to mothers based on their babies' ageand weight. For example, one suggestion the mobile device may provide ishow much milk the baby should consume or should be consuming. This maygive the user an indication for a quantity of milk she shouldbreastfeed, pump, and supplement with formula to meet suggested fulldaily consumption amounts for a particular baby. The sensors may beutilized to collect data regarding milk trends for the processor withinthe device to match user profiles with baby age and other usercharacteristics to deliver relevant content to the user. User profilesmay be identified by specific user personalities and proclivities. Forexample, one user profile may be referred to as the “earth mama” whopumps into glass bottles. Another example of another user profile may bereferred to as “the juggler” who has to pump between work meetings. Amother that has certain pumping and milk storage trends may beidentified by the sensor algorithm and content database.

The mobile device may help mothers keep track of milk volume that theirbabies are consuming even while breastfeeding, by estimating time of daypumped and duration of breastfeeding session. A sensor on the user'sbreast may be used to detect let down and measure milk flow. Sensors onthe feeding bottle may also measure milk consumption.

In addition, the system may include the additional features. In oneembodiment, the milk collection system may be leak proof. In order toreduce the size of the breast pump, a smart sensing component may beless than one square inch in height and width. The capture system mayinclude a breast pump “flange” portion. The breast pump flange has afunnel like interior, and a bra cup shaped exterior portion. A rigidplastic section connects between a soft interior of the flange and thetubing to the pump. Rigid plastic snaps allow a collection system toconnect to the capture system and to external accessories such asfeeding nipples. The connection between the capture and collectionsystem may be leak proof. The collection system may be cleaned andsanitized by dishwasher, microwave, hand-washing, or boiling.

The pieces of the catch and collection system may connect with minimaleffort. They may utilize snaps, quick connects or twist methods ofattachment. The sensors may turn ON when snapped in place, due to amechanical switch, button, or magnetic connection. A visual cue in theform of a light may alert the user that the system is ON and ready tomeasure data. The data may be viewed in real-time on a display of themobile device.

The sensors may be electrically connected to a microprocessor unit. Themicroprocessor unit may be electrically connected or part of anintegrated circuit with a radio frequency (RF) communication unit suchas Bluetooth. The RF unit may communicate to a smartphone application.The mobile device may send data wirelessly, such as over WiFi to adatabase server. Other suitable wired and wireless connections betweenthe mobile device may be used to communicate information to a databaseserver. Examples of these connections include ZigBee, Z-Wave, RF4CE,Ethernet, telephone line, cellular channels, or others that operate inaccordance with protocols defined in IEEE (Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers) 802.11, 801.11a, 801.11b, 801.11e, 802.11g,802.11h, 802.11i, 802.11n, 802.16, 802.16d, 802.16e, or 802.16m usingany network type including a wide-area network (“WAN”), a local-areanetwork (“LAN”), a 2G network, a 3G network, a 4G network, a WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) network, a Long TermEvolution (LTE) network, Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network,Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) network, any type of satellite or cellularnetwork, or any other appropriate protocol to facilitate communicationbetween the mobile device and the catch and collection system and/or adatabase server.

The mobile device may also be used to directly wirelessly control a pumpmotor. The user may turn ON or OFF the pump motor through theapplication interface, without having to touch the motor itself.Furthermore, the sensors may be used to determine when the processor mayautomatically turn ON or OFF the pump motor, without direct userintervention, based on whether a time based goal or volume based goalhas been reached. In addition, the sensor data may be used by theprocessor to turn ON or OFF the pump motor or increase or decrease pumpsuction and oscillation pattern dependent on flow rate of milkexpressed.

The sensor and smartphone system may automatically track data specificto the left and right breasts. The sensors may utilize piezo elements,switches, accelerometers, or tilt or knock sensors to identify to theprocessor the left and right breasts. The mobile device may read thereceived signal strength from one or both microprocessors in each pumpunit and store data for the left and right breasts in a memory device.Alternatively, one microprocessors may be a peripheral to the otherunit, such that the right sensor always communicates in near range via aspecific radio frequency to the left sensor, which then communicatesover Bluetooth to the smartphone. Alternatively, the smartphoneapplication may be able to determine which unit is worn on the left orright breast by reading a codified element such as a serial number,stored in the firmware of the sensor's microprocessor. In addition, thesensors may have a visual indication on the chassis of the sensorcomponents to notify the user which side is to be worn on the right orleft data for consistent data collection. Alternatively, the smartphoneapplication may be able to determine which unit is worn on the left orright breast by directing the user to move the smartphone over aspecific unit and reading its received signal strength, such as measuredby an RSSI value.

Smart system components may include sensors to measure and track flowrate of milk expression. The smart system components may include sensorsto measure volume of milk pumped. The smart system components mayinclude sensors to indicate proper positioning of the catch and collectsystem for milk extraction. The smart system components may indicatewhen all parts of the system are connected and ready to start collectingdata. Data from the sensors may be transmitted to the mobile device. Thesmart system components may be charged inductively when a sensingelement is placed inside a carrying container or charging dock. Thesmart system components may be charged through a proprietary contactcharger when the sensing element is placed inside the carryingcontainer, and/or may be charged through an electrical connection suchas USB. It is to be noted that while USB is an acceptable electricalconnection, there exist a myriad number and types of connectors in theart, many of which may also be suitable as electrical connectors. Thecarrying container may be in the form of a box, bag, purse, or clutch.The carrying container or charging dock may be powered by, for example,a micro USB to a standard USB-A port. The carrying container or chargingdock may be powered via a proprietary contact charger to a standardUSB-A port. Alternatively, the sensing elements may each have a microUSB port to connect to a micro USB to USB-A cable. The cable may havemultiple divisions to simultaneously connect to multiple sensors forcharging a battery and/or data transmission. Data from the sensors mayalso be stored on-board and later sent wirelessly to a receiving system.The sensor device may be water resistant. The sensor device may furtherturn OFF or enter a STANDBY mode to save power after the device hasstayed still or not collected new data for a specified length of time.

The device may pair with the smartphone through an initial setup step.Anytime after the initial device to phone pairing, when the device isON, data from the sensors may be stored on board in a microprocessor.Data from the microprocessor may be sent over BLE to a smartphoneapplication. Once the data is received by the phone, it may be erasedfrom the microprocessor. Onboard memory may be capable of storing datafor multiple pumping sessions that average 10 to 30 minutes each. Datastored on microprocessor may include real-time flow rate in oz/mingathered at an interval that may range from every 1 to 30 seconds. Datamay include total volume pumped per pumping session. The device may turnOFF to save power after no new information is gathered after a specifiedlength of time.

The mobile device may communicate over BLE to the smart accessory (whichmay be in the form of a sensor module). The processor within the mobiledevice may encrypt and send data to the server. Data may be decrypted toview on a web-browser by the user tied to the data. Users may accesstheir data for email backup and downloading. All user data may be saved.The data may be synchronized to new devices. New participants may alsosee previous data including trends and messages. The mobile device mayinclude an Open API for third party app developers to include featuresfor users of the smart accessories.

The embodiments and specific applications discussed herein may beimplemented in connection with one or more of the above-describedaspects, embodiments and implementations, as well as with those shown inthe appended figures.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows example graphical userinterfaces, consistent with various aspects of the present disclosure.FIG. 1A demonstrates an example home screen with a greeting 107 for theuser. A glowing object 101 is shown as an indicator that the smartsystem has been started, or is powered ON, or is actively gatheringdata. In this embodiment, the glowing object is the top of a bottle ofmilk. A side menu shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B displays an interactivegraphical user interface elements to access the settings 102, datatrends 103, and milk supply inventory 104. The graphical user interfaceimages portrayed may operate on a multi-touch screen. The user maychoose to run a pump session using graphical user interface elementssuch as volume goal 105 or a time goal 106. For a volume goal 105, theuser will be notified when she has pumped a total amount of milk equalto the goal amount. For a time goal, the user will be notified when shehas pumped a total amount of time equal to the goal amount. Once a timegoal is reached, the smart system may feedback information allowing theuser to turn OFF the pump via the mobile device using one or moregraphical user interface elements. Other graphical user interfaceelements may include diversions, such as games, or curated contentincluding tips, articles, offers and discounts. Some graphical userinterface elements may also allow for the user to order items and shopfrom the smartphone. Other graphical user interface elements may alsoallow for the user to keep track of personal information about her baby,such as age, weight and medical appointment schedules. This informationmay be used by the sensor system in addition to sensor data to alert theuser of actions to take to follow a meal plan or visit a doctor. Asshown in FIG. 1C, if the user is active in another native application108, a push notification 109 or message may alert the user of theircurrent total volume pumped. Push notifications may also convey durationof the session, flow rate, or temperature information. Pushnotifications may also be used to remind users of a time to pump. Thesensors and/or mobile device may alert the users of a scheduled pumptime through indicators such as lights, vibrations, noises, or pushnotifications. Push notifications may be text notifications sent to theuser's native text messaging application or SMS service. Pushnotifications may be in the form of silent notifications that appear onthe user's native notification panel or pop up as a new window. Pushnotifications may include text and/or emojis and/or animations. In oneembodiment, push notifications may be pre-delivered and run in thebackground of the native operating system; thus when the user opens thebreast pumping application, the notification is readily seen.Notifications may be sent via a third party software development kit(SDK), and may be encrypted or directly sent in a data payload. The datapayload may be a JSON packet or other packet of information containingdata and metadata. The data payload may also refer to data sent from themobile device via the software application to a network server or,alternatively, the data payload may also refer to data sent from one ormore sensors associated with the capture and/or collection systems tothe mobile device.

FIGS. 2A-2C show exemplary graphical user interface elements, consistentwith various aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 2A demonstrates anexample display with a method to view trends in data from a tab 201 in amain menu. FIG. 2B demonstrates graphical user interface elements thatprovide information such as the daily volume pumped 202, the runningtotal value 203, one or more bars representing different pumpingsessions 204, including a total volume per session 205, and the time ofeach of the pumping sessions 206. FIG. 2C demonstrates a graphicalrepresentation of the weekly volume pumped 207, while displaying theweek's running total value 208, with a bar representation for each day209, including a total volume per day 210, and the day of the week 211.The user may touch one bar 209 in the weekly view to see more details ina daily view. The daily view may give more specific trend information ofpump sessions pumped per day. Also, the user may pinch daily bar graphsin the weekly view to zoom in and out to, for example, view 4 days or 7days of total volume data at a time.

FIGS. 3A-3C show exemplary graphical user interface elements, consistentwith various aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 3A demonstratesgraphical user interface elements that provide an indication of thereal-time volume pumped as an animation of milk filling a bottle. Analternative display method shows the real-time volume pumped as ananimation of liquid filling up the entire screen of the smartphone ormobile device. Alternatively, any object, including rings and circlesmay be used to indicate filling of volume. An object may be animated topulse according to the real-time flow rate of the milk as measured bythe sensors. The real-time volume may also be numerically displayed 301.At the end of the pumping session, the user has the ability tocategorize and log the volume information in order to track milkinventory. The virtual bottle may be dragged into the freezer icon 302,or the refrigerator icon 303, or the baby icon 304, or the trash icon305. The freezer milk may be automatically saved with informationincluding date and time of pumping session and total volume pumped. Therefrigerator milk may be automatically saved with information includingdate and time of pumping session and total volume pumped. Furthercategorization may be made for the location of the milk stored, forexample at home, at work, at daycare, and etc. Milk fed directly to thebaby may be automatically saved with information including date and timeof feeding session and total volume pumped. The mobile device may allowfor users to deduct milk from the inventory system when they use thestored milk. The sensor system may alert the user when milk in thefreezer or fridge is about to expire. The sensor system may alert theuser when milk in the fridge should be moved to the freezer to extendits shelf life based on time, storage temperature, and/or recommendedguidelines. Users may choose to trash data 305, if for some reason thesession should not be saved, including if the milk was rejected or notused. FIG. 3B demonstrates graphical user interface elements thatdisplay the flow rate throughout the pumping session 306 as a solidgraph. The graph may be shown in real-time or post-session. The user maysee her peak flow rate 307, and the moment of second let-down 308 withrespect to the time 309 from the start of the session. The applicationwill help users learn how they may be able to pump more efficiently bybeing aware of whether or not they may pump more milk in a specifiedperiod of time due to multiple let-downs. The user may also choose tostop pumping when she has been made aware of a continued lag in flowrate. The user may also be encouraged to keep pumping when their flowrate is high and more milk may be captured than if she ended theirsession too early. FIG. 3C shows a volume icon 310 associated with adisplay that shows the total volume per session or per day. A circularrepresentation or pie chart 311 of total volume in relation to a goalvolume 312, provides the user with information regarding how much breastmilk is available and how much milk needs to be supplemented, forexample with formula. The ring 311 may have sections of various colorsto represent breast milk pumped, expected breast milk to be pumped, andother food sources to feed the child for a given day.

FIGS. 4A-4C show exemplary graphical user interface elements, consistentwith various aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 4A illustrates analternative method to set a time and volume notification at thebeginning of a pump session. The user may set a timer 401 by dragging aball 402 around a circle representing a 60 minute clock. The pump volumemay be set by scrolling a volume menu 403 left or right to decrease orincrease values. The volume unit of measurement may be changed in thesettings to toggle between ounces or milliliters based on the user'spreference. Alternatively, a fill line 404 inside the circle interfacemay be dragged up or down to set a volume goal for a session, in which atext indication such as 403 is automatically selected. Once one or moreof the notifications are set, the user may touch the “Start Session”button 405 to start collecting data from the smart breast pump andsensor system. 405 may be selected after manually starting the pumpmotor. Alternatively, selecting 405 may cause a signal to be sent to thebreast pump system to automatically turn ON the pump motor. Duringpumping, the user may choose to interact with the mobile device. Forexample, the user may choose to see the timer or swipe across the timeror other part of the user interface to see photos of her baby. It hasbeen shown that seeing and hearing a baby helps with milk let down innursing mothers. Anytime, the user may select “Trends” 406 to view datacollected by the sensor system, not limited to volume pumped, flow rateof milk expressed, and body temperature. FIG. 4B demonstrates an exampleembodiment of a daily view of trends. A user may select a weekly view byselecting “Weeks” 407. An overall volume pumped value 408 may representthe total volume pumped in a lifetime, or month, or week, or day. A ringshaped pie chart may indicate the total volume pumped per session 409,organized by different colors. The color used in the display per sessionmay be constant for all trend data for a particular day. A session totalvolume over pump session duration gives the user an idea of the averageflow rate per session 410. More information may be provided when theuser scrolls down on the daily view, as represented in FIG. 4C. FIG. 4Cshows an exemplary embodiment of the flow rate throughout a session,represented by a line graph, where each line 411 represents a singlepump session. Information such as total volume pumped per day perbreast, may also be graphically represented 412.

FIG. 5 shows an example location for one or more sensors on thecollection system. Either one sensor 501 or more sensors 502 may belocated at the neck of a bottle or collection container 503, in order tomeasure data as read from milk dropping 504 or streaming into thecollection system and filling it with milk 505. The sensor 501 or 502may be measuring flow rate or temperature or counting drops. The sensorsmay also measure other content from the milk including nutritionalinformation such as fat or calorie content. Further, the sensors mayindicate caffeine or alcohol content in the milk. Flow rate and volumesensors may include optical-based drop counters such as laser diodes orIR LEDs, or water wheel type apparatuses utilizing electromagneticradiation sensing methods such as Hall effect sensors or coils ormechanical counting methods using switches or force sensing techniques.Flow rate and volume sensors may also be capacitive, by measuringchanges in the proximal environment with and without the presence ofmilk. Flow rate and volume sensors may also be based on liquid levelmeasurements by means of capacitive sensors, ultrasonic sensors,microphones or optical sensors based on light or sound reflectivity.

FIGS. 6A-6B shows example configurations for the sensing elements. Theseelements may be placed in the path of the milk flow. The configurationsare demonstrated in the top cross-sectional view of the area between thecapture and collection system, or the area at the neck of the collectionsystem. The configurations described optically detect the presence ofmilk either by measuring blocked light or by measuring an increase inreflected light. These configurations may also include a temperaturemeasuring apparatus such as a thermopile, infrared (IR) temperaturesensor, heat sensitive resistor or other temperature-measuring sensor.FIG. 6A shows a configuration where an emitter 603 and detector 604 areplaced pointing at each other within the boundaries 601 of the system.In other words, emitter 603 and detector 604 may be disposed as facingeach other on substantially opposite sides of a milk collection device.The emitter emits a light beam 605 towards the detector 604. In thepresence of a drop or stream of milk 602, the light beam is blocked fromreaching the detector 604. The sensor configuration thus measures abreak in the light path by sampling light measurement data in accordancewith a particular timing algorithm such that a processor associated withemitter 603 and detector 604 may determine whether a single drop or astream of milk is passing by. Calculation of the volume passed may bedone on the microprocessor electrically connected to the sensors, ordone on the smartphone application in real-time. FIG. 6B shows analternate configuration where each emitter 606 and detector 607 pairs608 are placed side by side within the boundaries 601 of the system,such that they detect light reflecting off the opaque surface of themilk 602. A beam of electromagnetic radiation 609 from the emitter 606hits the falling milk 602 and is reflected 610, and is detected by thedetector 607. Alternatively, heat radiation (such as IR) emitted by themilk is measured passively by the sensor, for example, to detect heat ofthe object.

FIGS. 7A-7C show exemplary configurations of lenses that may be used fordirecting emitted and detected electromagnetic radiation. An emitter anddetector pair 701 may be placed against a lens that is shaped in such away to ensure electromagnetic radiation leaving the emitter does notenter the detector until it is reflected by an external object within adetection volume of interest. Lens 702 in FIG. 7A is configured tocontrol the detectable volume to a specific location, primarilyoff-center to the emitter-detector pair. Lens 703 in FIG. 7B and lens704 in FIG. 7C are example embodiments configured to control theinternal reflections of the emitted electromagnetic radiation away fromthe detector, and to direct only external reflections into the detector.The various lens configurations may be reconfigurable to move thedetectable volume of interest based on the way milk falls past thesensor. The lens may be permeable to the electromagnetic radiationemitted by the sensor. For example, for an IR emitter/detector pair, thelens is made using an IR transmitting material, with properties allowingfor transmission at the emitter's wavelength. The IR transmittingmaterial may appear opaque or translucent to the naked eye, and be madeof glass or plastic, not limited to polycarbonate, polypropylene, ABS,polyester, acrylic, nylon or any composite material.

FIG. 8 shows an example location for one or more sensors between thecapture and collection systems of a breast pumping accessory forexpressing milk. The capture portion, also known as the flange, isbounded by 801, which cups the breast and seals against it, with anextension 802 that surrounds the nipple. As milk 805 leaves the nippleand falls in the connection area 808 below the flange 801 and above thecapture system 810, it is detected by one sensor 803 or multiple sensors804. The location of 803 and/or 804 may be used for milk temperaturesensing. In this example, the sensors are placed above a valve such as aduckbill 806, which is closed when suction is applied to the nipple andthen opens under positive back pressure, allowing milk 807 to fill thebottle. The suction and back pressure is caused by oscillating motionswithin the system, either from an electric motor or a manual action. Aspout region in the milk collection system disposed between 802 and thesensors in the milk capture system may be constrained by a spout thatdirects the way milk falls past the sensor. The spout may be anextension of the nipple region 802, and may allow for milk to pool in areservoir in the milk capture system and fall in a controlled manner indrops that are detected by sensors 803 and 804. The spout may break thesurface tension of breast milk and use gravity to ensure the milk fallsin drops of a specific known size and shape past the sensor, such thateach drop contains a uniform volume of a bodily fluid, such as milk. Amultiplier, representing volume per drop of milk, in a milk sensingalgorithm may be set or altered based on the spout configuration.

FIGS. 9A-9B shows an example location for one or more sensors on thecapture system. FIG. 9A shows the sensor in a front cross-section view;and FIG. 9B shows the sensor in a side cross-section view. The sensor903 is located on the flange 901 such that flange 901 makes direct orindirect contact with the user's breast including the skin surface,areola or nipple areas. The location of sensor 903 may be used for bodytemperature sensing. In FIG. 9C, the portion of the flange 901 thatsurrounds the nipple 902, has an outlet 906 for milk to pass into thecollection system. The breast is cupped with the flange in the area 904,and the nipple is positioned in area 905.

FIG. 10 demonstrates an exemplary method of information flow for thesensor system. After the sensors are turned ON at step 1000 and asoftware application begins execution on a mobile device, the userstarts a pump session at step 1001. The sensors are read at a specificsample rate at step 1002 as determined by a time delay 1003. The timedelay may be a delay coded in the microprocessor firmware or in thesoftware application, the clock speed, or interrupt timer of themicroprocessor and may account for any delays or latencies in receiving,processing, and transmitting data between the hardware and softwarecomponents. After the sensors are read in step 1002, an algorithm, shownin FIG. 11 which will be discussed below, calculates the current flowrate 1004 and total volume pumped 1005. The microprocessor provides thisinformation to the user via a mobile device either by display in thesoftware application or through a web browser-based interface 1006.

FIG. 11 demonstrates an exemplary method of data processing after theflow rate sensors are read. After a specified time period Δt, on theorder of milliseconds, based on the micro-processor sample rate and timedelays as previously explained, the analog sensor value is read by themicroprocessor at step 1100. The specified time period Δt or the numberof samples are operated on by an averaging filter to increase theaccuracy of flow rate detection at step 1101. If a drop is not detectedat step 1101, the time since the last drop was detected is checked atstep 1104. If, within a predetermined amount of time Δt_(max), on theorder of seconds, no new drops are detected, a data buffer is clearedand a flow rate of 0 is displayed at step 1105. Conversely, if a drophas been detected within the Δt_(max) time period at step 1104, themicroprocessor directs a display device to display the previouslycalculated flow rate at step 1106. Drop detection is performed bycomparing the sensor's analog sensor reading, such as an ADC value, tothe buffer's average within some preset threshold. The threshold may beprogrammed in the sensor's firmware and changeable, either by upgrades,based on calculations in the algorithm or periodic autonomouscalibration. In one embodiment, the number of samples that are filteredis equal to the length of a data buffer. It is also to be noted that thedata buffer may be implemented as more than one physical memory unit orsoftware based implementation.

If a drop is detected at step 1101, a microprocessor determines whetheror not the flow rate buffer is filled with data values at step 1102. Ifthe buffer is not full at step 1102, the first flow rate value iscalculated once there are enough sample flow rate values in the bufferfor sufficient measurement at step 1103. The method returns after step1103 to step 1100 to collect more data values for the buffer until thebuffer is full. If the buffer is full at step 1102, the oldest values inthe buffers are replaced with a values representative of a current flowrate at step 1107. These values in the buffer are averaged at step 1108to produce a real-time flow rate. A microprocessor may direct thereal-time flow rate to be displayed on a display device at step 1109.

In another embodiment, when a drop is detected at step 1101, amultiplier representing a volume per drop is increased in count andstored in the data buffer at step 1102. As the buffer fills with countvalues, cumulative volume may be tracked over a known period of time.Based on this information, the processor may further determine areal-time flow rate for fluid as each drop is detected at step 1101.

FIG. 12 shows an example data set of sensor readings for when milk ismoving past the sensors used to determine flow rate and volume. FIG. 12Ais a representation of signal data 1201 for when milk is passing indrops. If the signal is above a certain threshold 1203, then a drop 1202is detected. A sample rate time Δt, is set in order to catch singledrops as they fall. An alternative method is to read the sensor atsmaller time intervals 1204, such that a peak detection method maydetect the full signal profile of a single drop 1202 including its riseand fall. The time between drops Δt_(d), may be used to calculatereal-time flow rate. Alternatively, a preset time, such as the time tofill the averaging buffer, may be used to calculate real-time flow rate.FIG. 12B is a representation of signal data 1205 for when milk starts topass in a continuous stream. In this case, the signal is above thethreshold 1203 at every sampling time step Δt. The volume per drop isestimated from volume passed through the milk capture and collectionsystem during pumping, and is based on the size and shape of theaperture or spout from which the milk falls from before passing thesensor. Multiple values for volume per drop, or a mapped multiplier, maybe used depending on the time between drops Δt_(d), and/or calculatedflow rate, to more accurately predict exact volume as milk is expressed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A breast pump sensor network, comprising: anemitter disposed within a bodily fluid capture system, and a detectordisposed within the bodily fluid capture system.
 2. The breast pumpsensor network of claim 1, wherein the emitter and the detector aredisposed on opposite sides of the bodily fluid capture system.
 3. Thebreast pump sensor network of claim 2, wherein the emitter emits a beamof electromagnetic radiation toward the detector.
 4. The breast pumpsensor network of claim 3, wherein the detector receives the beam ofelectromagnetic radiation.
 5. The breast pump sensor network of claim 4,wherein the beam of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter isinterrupted by at least one drop of a bodily fluid.
 6. The breast pumpsensor network of claim 5, further comprising: at least one processor tocount the number of drops of bodily fluid that interrupt the beam ofelectromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter and to determine a flowrate for the bodily fluid.
 7. The breast pump sensor network of claim 1,wherein the emitter and the detector are disposed side by side in thebodily fluid capture system.
 8. The breast pump sensor network of claim7, wherein the emitter emits a beam of electromagnetic radiation intothe bodily fluid capture system and wherein the beam of electromagneticradiation is reflected by a bodily fluid into the detector.
 9. Thebreast pump sensor network of claim 8, further comprising: at least oneprocessor to count the number of drops of bodily fluid that reflect thebeam of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter and todetermine a flow rate for the bodily fluid.
 10. The breast pump sensornetwork of claim 1, further comprising: a body temperature sensor todetect a body temperature of a breast pump user.
 11. The breast pumpsensor network of claim 1, wherein the bodily fluid capture systemincludes a bottle to collect breast milk.
 12. The breast pump sensornetwork of claim 1, further comprising: one or more sensors including atleast one of a sensor disposed within a breast pump flange of a bodilyfluid collection system and at least one positioning sensor to detectincorrect positioning of the flange of the bodily fluid collectionsystem on a breast.
 13. The breast pump sensor network of claim 1,further comprising: a body fluid capture system including a reservoirfrom which bodily fluids are released in drops of a uniform size into aspout that directs the drops to fall past the emitter and the detectordisposed in the bodily fluid collection system.
 14. A method to controla breast pump sensor network, comprising: emitting, by an emitter, abeam of electromagnetic radiation within a bodily fluid capture system;detecting, by a detector, one or more drops of body fluid within thebodily fluid capture system; determining, by at least one processor, abodily fluid volume collection amount based at least on the detected oneor more drops of bodily fluid; and providing, via a mobile device, thedetermined bodily fluid volume collection amount to at least one user.15. The method to control the breast pump sensor network of claim 13,further comprising: storing within a buffer, by the at least oneprocessor, a data value representative of the detection of one or moredrops of body fluid.
 16. The method to control the breast pump sensornetwork of claim 14, further comprising: determining, by the at leastone processor, that the number of data values stored within the bufferis equal to a predetermined number of data values designated to bestored by the buffer.
 17. The method to control the breast pump sensornetwork of claim 14, further comprising: determining, by the at leastone processor, a flow rate of bodily fluid collected within the bodilyfluid capture system, based at least in part on the detected one or moredrops of bodily fluid detected by the detector.
 18. The method tocontrol the breast pump sensor network of claim 14, further comprising:detecting, by a sensor disposed within a breast pump flange of a milkcollection system, a body temperature of a user.
 19. The method tocontrol the breast pump sensor network of claim 14, further comprising:transmitting, by the at least one processor, a message to at least oneuser, the message including one or more of body temperature information,breast pump positioning information, advice for pumping according to apreset regime, a time of day to pump, a particular volume to pump, pumpsession duration information, and information determined from sensordata.
 20. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storingcomputer instructions that direct a processor to perform a method forcontrolling a breast pump sensor network, comprising: emitting a beam ofelectromagnetic radiation within a bodily fluid capture system;detecting one or more drops of body fluid within the bodily fluidcapture system; determining a bodily fluid volume collection amountbased at least on the detected one or more drops of bodily fluid; andproviding the determined bodily fluid volume collection amount to atleast one user.